Information on the lecture; see also Vorlesungsverzeichnis
Prof. Mathias Kölliker, Ass Prof SNF, Universität Basel, Zoologisches Institut, Vesalgasse 1, 4051 Basel
E-mail: mathias.koelliker-at-unibas.ch; Web: evolution.unibas.ch/koelliker
Wednesday, 03.03.2010, 12:15 Uhr; Small lecture hall (1. Floor), Zoologisches Institut, Vesalgasse 1, 4051 Basel; duration approx. 30 Min.
Tuesday, 15:15 - 17:00; Small lecture hall (1. Floor), Zoologisches Institut, Vesalgasse 1, 4051 Basel.
Phenotypic evolution in response to selection can only happen if the selected trait variants are inherited. The study of the inheritance of phenotypes is thus of central importance for our understanding of teh evolutionary process. The main aim of the lecture is to provide a thorough introduction to the theoretical and experimental study of phenotypic evolution through selection and inheritance, focussing on quantitative characters. Many, if not most, phenoypic traits are continuous in nature. Such traits do not directly reflect one or the other allele at a given locus, but rather a complex combination of allelic and expressed variation over many loci across the genome, and of environmental influences. Examples are morphological characters like body size, many secondary sexual characters (ornaments) and behaviours, and many others. Phenotypes are often complex. Can we still predict evolutionary change? How can we study the inheritance and selection of phenotypes experimentally? If you are
The interested student should have previous knowledge on principles in evolutionary biology, and have passed the lecture "Entstehung des Lebens und Evolution" (Dozenten: D. Ebert, W. Salzburger) or an equivalent course. The previous participation in the course "Ökologische und evolutive Genetik: Teil 1" (Lecturer: D. Ebert/J.-C. Walser) is an advantage, but not requirement.
The course follows to a large extent the textbook Jeffrey K. Conner and Daniel L. Hartl. 2004. A primer of Ecological Genetics. Sunderland, MA, USA. Sinauer Associates, Inc. (ISBN: 0-87893-202-X; paperback). Please buy this book as soon as possible. We will work with the second half of the chapters treating quantitative genetics. Der first part is the basis for the lecture Ökologische und Evolutive Genetik: Teil 1, taught by Dr. Jean-Claude Walser / Prof. Ebert during fall term.
Dies ist das Lehrbuch der Vorlesung
The ppt slides of the lecture will be available here
To pass this course and obtain the corresponding credid points, participation is expected and the examn has to be successfully passed. The date/time for the exam will be announced in due time.